The Fuel Gauge that is ......

For years now the fuel gauge has reached the top of the E letter and then rapidly dropped off to below empty and low fuel light comes on ...... however, within 5 miles the gauge restores itself to what it should read.

I have learned to accept it.

But, last night, driving home from the coast ...... it, as expected, dropped off - but then didn't come back until many miles later??

It then dropped off again ... and rose ... then dropped ...

Its about time I sorted it - I remember posting about this many years ago when it first happened and it seemed a common fault ........... who has cured it and how?

Am I correct in assuming that the fuel sender gauge can be reached by lifting up the rear seat?

 

I believe it can be accessed from the boot. Just behind the back seat under the carpet in the boot, drivers side is an oval panel that can be unscrewed, i think its under that.
Might be easier to get to with the seats full removed.
Hope it helps,
Matt

 

Cheers Matt - thanks for that ..... I have the wagon - not sure if its different?

I think it is the sender unit as it happens at exactly the same point each time - a connection fault would not give the same symtoms each and every time.

 

Sounds like you need a knock link fitting.

 

Bets on if he's going to fork out and replace BOTH senders or faff about finding which one is on the fritz

 

BOTH??

Theres more than ONE??

 

Just put petrol in it you miserable old sod

 

Indeed, I put a lot of that in ...... would be nice to know when it's running out, however!

 

When yah cant drive any more petey!


or the oil needs changing!


:P

 

Pete,

The fuel tank is like a saddle with 2 wells and there is a sender in each side and something in the car manages to add these up for display on the fuel gauge. Problem is than when you go round a corner some fuel slops from side to side and can change the reading. Fuel pump is on the right hand side only and fuel is transferred from the left side by using the fuel return flow and an ejector to suck it over. It surprises me this works at all and certainly explains odd readings that recover after a bit of driving. This is also an explanation why it is unwise to drive fast on less than 1/4 tank as this can risk fuel starvation if you happen to slop it all over to the left.

Cheers, Diccy.

 

I was about to add the comment on fuel starvation there D1CCY. With a setup like that no wonder we can get fuel surge when pressing on.